Anael smiled delightedly at the compliment. It would have been impossible for him not to notice the slow shift in the atmosphere; there was genuine affection between them, colouring everything. But he was not going to act on it, and let Alcuin set the boundaries of their friendship.

"The words are probably to blame, you realise," he stated, still smiling. "Unless you've always found my voice sexy, and are only now speaking up."